Electronic Recycling Resources
Not only are electronics made of valuable materials—metals, plastics, glass—but the energy required to create them is significant. According to the US EPA, recycling one million laptops saves enough energy to power 3500 homes for a year. And the Natural Resources Defense Council estimated US citizens tossed 130,000 computers a day and 100 million cellphones each year. Read on to learn where to recycle old electronics.
If you cannot upgrade the hardware or software of your electronics enough to meet your needs, you should recycle! The first step on how to recycle old electronics is to be sure to delete all personal information and contacts. Eraser for Windows can delete data safely. Mac computers have built-in erasure software. Also remove the batteries before you recycle so they can be recycled separately.
Wondering where to recycle old electronics? The beanz magazine team has gathered a few resources to help you recycle or trade-in your electronics. Another helpful hint is to search online for local groups.
Call2Recycle
http://www.call2recycle.org/locator/
Earth911
http://search.earth911.com/
http://earth911.com/recycling/small-electronics/
GreenerGadgets.org
Green Buyback
GameStop
http://www.gamestop.com/recommerce/web/
Target
Needs to have a Target Mobile store if you trade in a store, online otherwise.
http://www.targettradeinprogram.com/
Best Buy Recycling
Staples Recycling
Consumer Reports Articles on Recycling Electronics
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/04/how-to-recycle-old-electronics-devices/index.htm
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/08/apple-trade-in-program/index.htm
Dell Computer Recycling
Toshiba Recycling
http://us.toshiba.com/green/reuse-and-recycling
Apple Recycling
http://www.apple.com/recycling/
Amazon Trade-In Program
http://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Trade-In/b?ie=UTF8&node=2226766011
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=sr_1_1_acs_h_1?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200302910&qid=1385500081&sr=8-1-acs
Gazelle Trade-In Program
Basel Action Network
http://e-stewards.org/find-a-recycler/
http://www.ban.org/
Eraser (Windows)
US Government Resources
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0200-disposing-your-mobile-device
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm
For more assistance on where to recycle old electronics, contact our team.